Learn tsurikomi-goshi, the judo lift-pull hip throw: lapel grip, upward-forward kuzushi and turn-in. Honest and safe, with breakfalls and supervision.
The honest answer: tsurikomi-goshi is a hip throw that you prepare with the hand: you lift Uke forward and upward with the lapel grip and then turn in under him. The name describes it: "tsuri" means lifting, "komi" pulling in. The German Judo Federation lists tsurikomi-goshi in the basic programme and assigns it to 5th kyu, together with sode-tsurikomi-goshi, harai-goshi and uchi-mata among the coordinatively more demanding techniques [1].
For you that means: the movement is logical, but not trivial. Expect several weeks until the lift-pull hand and the rotation fit together, and longer until the throw comes reliably in randori. That is a practical rule of thumb, not a study.
Good to know for scoring: if Uke does not land on his back in a hip throw but on his side, the rules score it as waza-ari or yuko depending on the rotation of the shoulder axis. An ippon needs a landing on the back with speed, force and control [2]. That explains why your coach insists so much on a clean roll over the hip.
The lifting hand grips the lapel high at the collar, the other hand guides the sleeve. Upright, knees slightly bent. In competition collar and lapel grips are allowed as long as you actively attack and do not block or press down [2]. Milestone: you can pull Uke forward without yanking.
With the lifting hand you aim forward and upward, with the pulling hand forward and sideways. Uke rises onto his toes. A 3D analysis of hip and leg throws showed that the decisive impulse already arises in the kuzushi phase and that a sudden "snap" pull with the pulling hand can help freeze Uke briefly [3]. That is a transfer from harai-goshi and o-soto-gari; tsurikomi-goshi was not measured. Milestone: Uke stands on his toes and becomes light.
You turn in and set your hip lower than Uke's hip. The lifting hand stays up, the wrist loose. Unlike in o-goshi, your arm does not wrap around the back. Milestone: you hold the turn-in position for one second without wobbling.
You repeat the movement without throwing Uke. In an EMG study, experienced judoka showed more activity in the leg extensors and less simultaneous counter-tension in hip throws [4]. Two hip throws were examined there, unnamed; it is a transfer, but it fits practice: turn in loosely, straighten up strongly. Milestone: 15 clean repetitions in a row.
With your coach's approval you straighten up, rotate and let Uke roll over the hip. The pulling hand accompanies him to the landing. In competition an ippon requires speed, force, landing on the back and controlled landing [2]. Milestone: Uke lands under control, you remain upright.
Hip throws strain tori and uke. In studies of elite judoka the lower back was the most frequently injured body region at 10.9%, followed by the shoulder (10.2%) and the knee (9.7%) [5]. That matches what often happens in training: whoever lifts with a rounded back pays for it. That is why in tsurikomi-goshi you work with bent knees and a straight line. Uke falls from greater height, so even more applies: throws only with a partner who can do ukemi securely, on tatami and under supervision. Hold Uke by the sleeve hand until the landing, do not let him "drop". This guide explains and motivates, it does not replace supervised training.
Ask yourself in every uchi-komi: where is my lifting hand? If it sits at the height of Uke's chin, you feel gravity as you straighten up; if it sits at chest height, you only pull. That is a rule of thumb that your coach will refine for you. The hand decides whether Uke rises or stays.
Later, when you practise combinations (see our guide on combinations), tsurikomi-goshi often becomes the follow-up throw when Uke straightens up after a foot attack. That is practical knowledge, not a study. So train early to get into the turn-in quickly with a raised upper body.
In o-goshi one arm goes around Uke's back and you load him onto the hip. In tsurikomi-goshi you lift Uke forward and upward with the lapel grip and turn in under him. The German Judo Federation assigns both to the basic programme, tsurikomi-goshi to 5th kyu [1].
A variation in which you use the lifting hand on the sleeve instead of the collar. The DJB lists it next to tsurikomi-goshi in the basic programme [1].
Yes, collar and lapel grips are allowed as long as you actively attack and do not merely block [2].
At 5th kyu. There the German Judo Federation extends the throwing repertoire with, among others, tsurikomi-goshi, sode-tsurikomi-goshi and harai-goshi [1]. Of these, harai-goshi, o-soto-gari and uchi-mata are mandatory at 4th kyu [1].
Harai-goshi: The Sweeping Hip Throw Where Hip, Leg and Pull Form a Chain